Dear New Jumper (or other jumpers who are trapped on the ground by winter weather):

Congratulations on your new skydiving license! There is so much to learn to stay safe in this sport. Earning your A license is just the beginning. Below are some documents which will help your further development as a skydiver. You donít have to read them all at once. If you read one a week, you will be doing GREAT!

General Information:

USPA Skydiver Information Manual If you arenít familiar with sections 1 through 5 in this document, now is the time to review them. Reviewing at least part 105 of the FARs is a good thing too. You can defer most of section 6 and all of the other sections for a while.

The Safety articles on Dropzone.com These articles vary by topic and age, many are really relevant and useful. Note that these articles have been selected by the website editors for their accuracy and relevance. They are NOT the usual internet discussion board stuff of dubious quality.

A variety of useful articles on collegeskydiving.com . There are articles about canopy flight, relative work, rigging, freefly, and mental aspects. All are worthwhile. (Note that this is a multi-page list. Also, some of these articles have been borrowed from sites listed below.)

Canopy Flight:

The leading cause of skydiving death in the USA is pilot errors while flying a perfectly functioning canopy. Canopy flight and landing is the one thing that all specialty disciplines in skydiving have in common, so it is one thing that we should all study earnestly.

Brian Germain's Downsizing recommendations This 22 page document is way more than just information about downsizing safely! It has lots of information about how to learn more about your canopy by flying various drills which he calls ďEssential ManeuversĒ.

Canopy related safety articles by canopy manufacturers.

If you fly a PD canopy (and the odds are fairly good that you do), read the PD document on your specific canopyís performance:

Big Air SportzThere is a variety of wonderful stuff by Brian Germain here .

Never hesitate to make canopy drill hop & pop jumps! They can be a great way to get in the air when there is a low ceiling which prevents freefall or when you canít find folks to jump with. The canopy drills in the SIM and described by Brian Germain are quite worth your time. There is no doubt that those drills have saved me from injury several times. If you read a lot, ask a lot of questions, and practice a lot with your canopy up high, you will grow to be a safer skydiver.